Rookies Dominate Round 3 of Outerknown Fiji Pro

The Outerknown Fiji Pro, Stop No. 5 of the 2017 World Surf League Championship Tour, saw sensational upsets on Monday in the remaining eight heats of Round 3. After a series of lay days, the event recommenced with the world’s best surfers battling in four-to-five foot waves at Cloudbreak.

Sebastien Zietz of Hawaii (pictured) advances to Round Four of the Outerknown Fiji Pro after defeating Wiggolly Dantas of Brazil in Heat 11 of Round Three at Cloudbreak on Tuesday 13 June, 2017. PHOTO: © WSL / Sloane SOCIAL : @wsl @edsloanephoto.

Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), 2017 CT Rookie, upset the competition with his win over reigning WSL Champion and current World No. 1 John John Florence of Hawaiʻi in Round 3. Fioravanti showcased a new level to his surfing with aggressive snaps for a 16.83 two-wave score out of a possible 20 points.

“The waves are really fun and I just got into a good rhythm,” Fioravanti told WSL. “My mom always tells me that I surf better on my backhand so I was just thinking about what my mom always says and trying to hit the lip as hard as I could, and it paid off. I felt really confident. It is a dream to surf these types of conditions at Cloudbreak with nobody else out.”

The Italian’s second ever CT win this season forces Florence to leave in 13th place, his second and worst result of 2017.

Reigning World Champion and current JEEP Rankings Leader John John Florence of Hawaii finishes equal 13th in the Outerknown Fiji Pro after suffering an upset loss to rookie Leonardo Fioravanti of Italy in Heat 6 of Round Three at Cloudbreak today Tuesday 13 June, 2017. PHOTO: © WSL / Cestari SOCIAL : @wsl @kc80.

“The waves were hard, but Leo [Fioravanti] was ripping,” said Florence in an interview with WSL. “I just wasn’t getting the right ones. Wave selection is definitely important and I think that is something that I need to work on. I am starting to figure out — in these last few events — choosing the right waves. I’ve got my two throw-aways for the year so far. I really believe that things are going to get a lot better. I am learning a lot and I am excited and confident for J-Bay. I think it will be really fun.”

11-time WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) was also eliminated. He was taken out by rookie Connor O’Leary (AUS) in a close battle separated by only 0.40 points. O’Leary secured a 10.74, while Slater tried to improve his 10.34. With priority in the dying minutes of the heat, Slater could not find the backup wave to combat the rookie and exits Fiji early.

“It is always tough to win that low scoring, but I am over the moon,” said O’Leary. “I thought the energy was there at the start, but as soon as the trades came up, it went to nothing. I was glad I had two average scores to finish it off. I made a few errors on a few waves that I could have maximized my score on, but I am stoked to win.”

“There wasn’t much I could do – I had priority, I was in the spot I wanted to be and I had the biggest score of the heat,” Slater said. “I sat most of the heat waiting for a 4.00, but it’s a tricky day. You’ve seen other experienced guys that you’d expect to win out here losing. It’s been total decimation of the top seeds and it’s played into the hands of the underdogs.”

Mick Fanning (AUS), three-time WSL Champion, was eliminated from the event by an in-form Michel Bourez (PYF) in the opening heat of the day. The Round 3 Heat 4 match-up saw Fanning lead with strong backhand snaps for a 5.67, but Bourez tracked down a tube for a 7.00. The win came down to the last exchange, where Bourez landed a 6.53 over Fanning’s 5.53. Fanning will be eliminated in Equal 13th place, his second Round 3 elimination this season.

The rookie takedowns continued as World No. 2 Jordy Smith (ZAF) fell to Joan Duru (FRA) in Round 3 Heat 7; and Stuart Kennedy’s (AUS) took a big win over Adriano de Souza (BRA), 2015 WSL Champion and current World No. 2.

Hawaiʻi’s Sebastian Zietz advances through to the next round as the only Hawaiʻi contender remaining after winning his heat against Wiggolly Dantas (BRA).

The Outerknown Fiji Pro has been called ON for an 8:15 a.m. start in three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) conditions at Cloudbreak. Men’s Round 4 will get underway today with Round 5 on standby for a possible start.

The event is being broadcast LIVE via WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL app and on Facebook LIVE via the WSL’s Facebook page.

Outerknown Fiji Men’s Pro Remaining Round 3 Results:
Heat 5: Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.53 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 11.20
Heat 6: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 16.83 def. John John Florence (HAW) 13.33
Heat 7: Joan Duru (FRA) 17.60 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.73
Heat 8: Connor O’Leary (AUS) 10.74 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 10.34
Heat 9: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 15.30 def. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 13.84
Heat 10: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 16.10 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 11.90
Heat 11: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 12.93 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 12.80
Heat 12: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 14.83 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 14.33

Outerknown Fiji Men’s Pro Round 4 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Ian Gouveia (BRA), Julian Wilson (AUS), Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 2: Italo Ferreira (BRA), Michel Bourez (PYF), Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
Heat 3: Joan Duru (FRA), Connor O’Leary (AUS), Joel Parkinson (AUS)
Heat 4: Bede Durbidge (AUS), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Stuart Kennedy (AUS)